Chapter 17: Protagonist Treatment? A Fortunate Encounter?
"It's a 1st-tier pill, the Swift Wind Pill!"
Jiang Yun didn't recognize what pill this was, but there was no shortage of know-it-alls in the crowd. He easily learned its effects and ingredients.
Swift Wind Pill: Can increase a Dou Zhe's speed by a certain degree, lasting for the duration of one incense stick's burning!
It seemed Elder Liu intended to teach the assembled alchemists a lesson, starting right from the most basic pill!
For Elder Liu, a dignified 4th-tier alchemist, refining a 1st-tier pill was naturally done with effortless ease. However, to better demonstrate the art of alchemy so the alchemy students present could gain something from it, Elder Liu deliberately slowed his pace. Yet, watching his movements, one still felt a fluid, seamless grace.
Although Elder Liu's tier wasn't high, his foundation in alchemy was extremely solid. As expected of an elder of Jia Nan Academy's Alchemy Department, his teaching ability had its unique merits.
On the arena, Elder Liu tossed the medicinal ingredients into the cauldron one by one. As the flames leapt and roiled, these ingredients were almost instantly burned into tiny masses of green liquid.
Next, Elder Liu produced a cyan rank 1 monster core. An hour later, the hard magic crystal had been calcined into a pale cyan liquid. The violent energy contained within the magic crystal was also cleansed away through the miraculous synergy of medicinal properties orchestrated by Elder Liu.
Watching the alchemy students around him entranced and captivated, Jiang Yun knew they were gaining insights. This left the majority of the people present envious, for they were not alchemists. They only knew the 'what,' not the 'why'—and that was a deeply agonizing feeling.
Just like knowing a great treasure lay right before your eyes yet having no way to enter and claim it—how heart-wrenching that felt!
But this did not include Jiang Yun. Relying on his exceptional soul power and that abnormal comprehension ability, he had already firmly imprinted Elder Liu's every hand technique into his mind. All he needed was to return, find a set of ingredients, and test his hypothesis.
"Condense!"
At that moment, accompanied by Elder Liu's great shout, a powerful wave of soul power erupted, surging into the cauldron.
In that corner, Jiang Yun's gaze sharpened. He suppressed the urge of his own soul power. All along, he had harbored questions about just how powerful his soul force truly was. Now, through the comparison with Elder Liu, he roughly knew the answer.
The other party's soul force was not stronger than his own!
At the very least, at this moment, he felt no suppression of his soul from the other's presence.
While Jiang Yun outside the arena was silently making his comparison, at the center of the arena, under the manipulation of Elder Liu's soul power, the masses of variously colored medicinal liquids within the cauldron slowly approached one another.
Even though traces of resistance appeared in the process, Elder Liu skillfully neutralized them. Finally, the medicinal liquids fused together and slowly condensed into a pale green, irregular sphere.
At this point, Jiang Yun knew the pill had been successfully refined. All that remained was to wait for the pill to be nurtured and matured by the flames, yielding a Swift Wind Pill of excellent quality.
As time passed, after refining the 1st-tier Swift Wind Pill, Elder Liu went on to refine a 2nd-tier Green Wood Pill, a 3rd-tier Calming Heart Pill, and finally a 4th-tier Jade Bone Powder. The tier of the pills steadily climbed as time flowed on, making the crowd drool with longing—those were 4th-tier pills!
As the Jade Bone Powder was collected into a jade bottle, Elder Liu let out a long sigh of relief. By now, the sky outside had already dimmed. A full day of alchemy, even for a Dou Wang like Elder Liu, brought a wave of exhaustion.
"Well then, today's demonstration of alchemy ends here. I hope that all the students present have gained something. May your future paths as alchemists have fewer detours, may several more alchemy grandmasters emerge among you, and may you bring pride to the Alchemy Department of our Jia Nan Academy."
Elder Liu put away his cauldron and swept his gaze across the Alchemy Department students one by one, his eyes brimming with hope.
As the overlord-level power of the Black-Corner Region, Jia Nan Academy and the lawless elements of the region belonged to two opposing camps. If there was one area where Jia Nan Academy fell short compared to the Black-Corner Region...
It was in high-tier alchemists!
In terms of the sheer number of alchemists across the Inner and Outer Academies, Jia Nan Academy could be called the number one 'conglomerate' of the Black-Corner Region. However, when it came to high-tier alchemy grandmasters, Jia Nan Academy lacked any strength worth boasting about.
The foremost figure of Jia Nan Academy's Alchemy Department was the Inner Academy's Elder Huo, a peak 5th-tier alchemist. In contrast, the preeminent alchemist of the Black-Corner Region was none other than the Alchemy Emperor Han Feng. On the surface, his alchemical prowess was at the peak of 6th-tier. But as Yao Chen's prized disciple, he had likely already reached the realm of 7th-tier.
It was only due to limitations of strength that he could not freely refine 7th-tier pills to his heart's content.
Low-tier pills had far less stringent requirements on one's strength and Dou Qi. Often, popping medicinal supplements while refining was standard practice, allowing cross-tier alchemy—much like Xiao Yan refining a 4th-tier pill while still a Dou Shi.
However, refining high-tier pills often required an alchemist's soul power, Dou Qi strength, and alchemical skill—all three were indispensable.
Once a pill reached the 7th-tier, the heavens would send down tribulation lightning—an ordeal even a Dou Zong had to face with extreme caution, let alone Han Feng, who was merely at the peak of Dou Huang.
One could say he was just that tiny step away from being a true 7th-tier alchemist.
From this, one could see just how vast the gap in alchemical strength between Jia Nan Academy and the Black-Corner Region truly was.
The gap between 7th-tier and 5th-tier was an immeasurable chasm. This had almost become a deep-seated source of anxiety for Jia Nan Academy's Alchemy Department.
At this moment, Elder Liu gazed hopefully at this batch of Alchemy Department students. These were the seeds of hope.
"Thank you for your instruction, Elder!"
Seeing Elder Liu's earnest expectations as a teacher, the students were also moved in their hearts and respectfully bowed toward Elder Liu.
Even Jiang Yun did the same!
Returning to his dorm, Jiang Yun sat cross-legged on his bed. In his mind, he recalled every detail Elder Liu had demonstrated that day one by one, ensuring he missed nothing before beginning today's cultivation.
The next day, Jiang Yun still did not sense Zi Yan's presence in the room. She was likely still rampaging through some demonic beast den out there!
Jiang Yun left the dorm and arrived at a place called the Library.
As he stepped inside, the shelves of books filling the room gave Jiang Yun a momentary daze, as if he had returned to those days in the Xie Ling Clan, when he would come to the clan's library every day just like this and quietly flip through books.
Setting aside his wandering thoughts, Jiang Yun observed the students around him quietly reading their books. He did not disturb them. He quietly took a few books himself and went to an inconspicuous corner, reading silently.
The titles of those books read: An Introductory Explanation of Alchemy, A Handbook of Pill Appraisal, A Beginner's Explanation of Medicinal Properties, The Control of Alchemical Flame...
Basic alchemical knowledge. There were no pill formulas among them. Precious pill formulas were an alchemist's lifeblood and would not be casually shared with outsiders. Even common, widely known formulas were only accessible after formally joining the Alchemy Department.
Fortunately, Jiang Yun didn't need those just yet. For now, he needed to fully digest the fundamentals of alchemy before thinking about anything else.
"Snap!"
Closing the Compendium of Medicinal Ingredients in his hands, Jiang Yun let out a long sigh of relief. By now, he had been soaking in the library for seven days. In these past days, he had read every single book he could find in the library related to alchemy. Relying on his exceptional soul power, he had vaulted from a complete alchemy novice to a 'theoretical grandmaster' in one go.
Now everything was in place; all that was missing was practical application!
"Little one, interested in alchemy?"
Just as Jiang Yun rose, intending to leave, a faint voice came from behind him.
Jiang Yun was instantly on alert. Turning his head back, he saw an old man with completely white hair and beard looking at him with a smile. Even though the other's smile was very slight, Jiang Yun could still tell from the gaps between his lips that his teeth were not all present.
Everything about him indicated his advanced age!
Clearly, this was a 'hidden big shot' tucked away in the Library.
"Elder!"
"Is there anyone on this continent uninterested in the art of alchemy?"
Confirming that the other was a hidden old monster, Jiang Yun bowed respectfully and replied with a question, his face filled with yearning.
"Heh heh!"
"Well said. Indeed, who in this world is not interested in the art of alchemy?" The old man chuckled. A trace of longing also surfaced on his aged face. Gazing at Jiang Yun's young, tender face, his expression was full of reminiscence, as if recalling his youthful self.
Back then, hadn't he been exactly the same? Full of yearning for the art of alchemy, dreaming that one day he could become a lofty, revered alchemist. Pity, reality often gives you a rude wake-up call, telling you: child, don't think so much, you don't have that destiny, you know?
As a dazed, trance-like look flickered through the depths of his eyes, the old man looked at Jiang Yun and asked, "You're one of the new students this year, aren't you?"
"Yes!" Though Jiang Yun didn't know what the other was up to, he still answered. He and Zi Yan could be considered specially recruited by Su Qian, which also made them this year's new students.
During the half year Zi Yan was in seclusion, he had already reported to their class—Huang Class, Class Three. The instructor was a male 4-star Da Dou Shi named Wu En. The first time he met the other, Wu En had not been surprised; clearly, Hu Gan had given prior notice.
Thus, Jiang Yun was now a new student with a proper identity!
"To possess such cultivation at your age—this old man has rarely seen its like in his entire life." Receiving confirmation from Jiang Yun, the old man nodded with gratification, inwardly pleased that the academy had recruited such a genius.
But then, he picked up the Introduction to Alchemy from the pile of books beside Jiang Yun and flipped through it casually a few times. Then he spoke, "I can see that your body is brimming with an exceptionally dense fire attribute, yet lacks that thread of vitality. Clearly, you yourself do not possess the wood attribute. You must understand, though the art of alchemy is wonderful, it cannot be forced!"
Hearing the faintly cautionary note in the old man's words, Jiang Yun finally understood the purpose of the other's visit. He had seen Jiang Yun engrossed in alchemy for days on end, and upon realizing Jiang Yun had no potential to become an alchemist, couldn't bear to see this genius waste his cultivation and had come to advise him.
The old man's intention was good. Jiang Yun could not tell the other the truth and replied earnestly, "This junior merely wishes to broaden his knowledge. Perhaps in the future he may encounter a treasure without realizing it—now that would be a truly great pity!"
"It's excellent that you have such a mindset!" The old man nodded with satisfaction. No matter what, a teacher always delighted in diligent and eager students. Then he continued, "In the Dou Technique section, third row, third shelf, there's a rather decent little item. You can go take a look."
Having said this, the old man gathered the pile of books beside Jiang Yun and walked away with steady strides, heading outside.
Jiang Yun stared somewhat dumbfounded at the other's departing back. Had he just stumbled upon a hidden opportunity? What was this, 'protagonist treatment'—did he, Jiang Yun, also get to have such a moment, being favored by a hidden big shot and gifted a fortunate encounter?
Filled with curiosity, Jiang Yun slowly made his way toward the Dou Technique section the old man had mentioned. As a vital component of strength on the Dou Qi Continent, Dou Techniques occupied no small area within the Library.
Walking into a zone bustling with figures, he looked up and saw countless bookshelves standing tall. At the very front of each bookshelf, enormous characters representing the elements were painted.
This place was filled with Dou Techniques of various attributes—fire, wood, wind. Even the rare darkness attribute; Jiang Yun spotted quite a few.
Jia Nan Academy truly deserved to be an institution established by a member of the Lei Clan. Though it usually kept a low profile, its foundations could truly stand shoulder to shoulder with those of the Central Plains' Four Pavilions.
Jiang Yun headed toward the bookshelf the old man had indicated, brushing past one Dou Technique after another.
Huang Class Mid-tier Cultivation Art, Fire Cloud Art.
Huang Class High-tier Dou Technique, Mountain-Shattering Fist.
Huang Class High-tier Dou Technique, Stone-Crushing Palm.
Most of the Dou Techniques and cultivation arts here were Huang class. Jiang Yun didn't see a single Mysterious class one. Even Jia Nan Academy would not casually open up Mysterious class Dou Techniques and cultivation arts to all students so generously.
Yet even Huang class Dou Techniques and cultivation arts were considered rare treasures in the eyes of these new students, who were generally at the Dou Zhe and Dou Zhi Qi levels.
As time passed, Jiang Yun finally arrived at the spot the old man had mentioned. He retrieved a fiery-red scroll.
On the back of the scroll was written: Huang Class High-tier Dou Technique: Blazing Flame Palm.
Jiang Yun couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed. He hadn't expected it to be a Huang class Dou Technique. For him, only Mysterious class could serve as his everyday combat techniques; Earth class Dou Techniques would be his hidden trump cards.
Huang class—there was absolutely no need to learn them.
Yet, he still slowly unrolled the scroll...
'Blazing Flame Palm: Huang Class High-tier Dou Technique. Can be used in close combat or as a ranged attack. When cultivated to grand completion, can rival a Mysterious Class Low-tier Dou Technique. If the cultivator's Dou Qi is highly refined and they possess a special flame, its power can rival a Mysterious Class Mid-tier Dou Technique.'
Reading the technique's description, Jiang Yun understood why the old man had recommended this to him. The fire attribute within his body was exceptionally dense. Cultivating this kind of technique, perhaps he truly could unleash power rivaling a Mysterious Class Mid-tier technique. In that case, it was indeed a small opportunity.
But...
He possessed the Saint Demon Flame, which had a boosting effect on all fire-attribute Dou Techniques. In light of this, this technique seemed somewhat mediocre and unremarkable.
After memorizing the cultivation method, Jiang Yun returned the Dou Technique to its original place, leaving it for the next destined person.
When Jiang Yun returned to his dorm, he saw Zi Yan, clad in a purple outfit, sitting boldly and imposingly in the living room chair, her legs swinging restlessly.
She lay limply on the table with lifeless eyes, idly fiddling with several fruits that gave off a fragrant aroma.
The moment she heard the door open, Zi Yan instantly 'came to life,' looking at the entering Jiang Yun with delighted surprise.
"Little Yunzi, you're finally back..." A cry of charming anger rang out as Zi Yan stared at him with shining eyes.
An involuntary shiver ran down Jiang Yun's spine just as Zi Yan's voice came again.
"Hurry and help me make some pills! I'm about to starve to death!"
(End of Chapter)